This meatless soup was the traditional beginning of Dalmatian Vigil meals, especially Christmas Eve, when the chill of the Bora (a strong wind from the east) gives cabbage added bite. It calls for fish broth, which the cook would have had on hand because boiled fish is one of the standard second courses of a Vigil meal.

Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

Savoy cabbage (amounts given below)

Potatoes

One onion

Fish broth (from boiling a fish, or canned)

Garlic

A bay leaf

Bread

Salt and pepper

Preparation:

Dice into half-inch (1-cm) cubes a head of Savoy cabbage, two peeled potatoes, and an onion.

Simmer the vegetables until tender in the broth from boiling the fish (strain it first), adding a minced clove of garlic, a bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste to the pot.

While the soup is cooking, toast several slices of bread. Line your soup bowls with them, ladle the soup over it, and serve.